How TRUE is this?
The Lord decides what a person will do;
no one understands what his life is all about. Proverbs 20:24 NCV
Sometimes I get a kick out of how the New Century Version Bible
paraphrases a verse. How often have you felt that way? I have!
No clue what life is all about.
Which means to me, it’s a good thing someone knows what life is about! That would be the Lord – who decides what a person will do.
The ESV puts a different spin on the passage:
A man’s steps are from the Lord;
how then can man understand his way??
Well, this translation tells me that since I have no clue what I am doing, I need God to show me my steps (similar to the conclusion drawn from NCV).
ESV Study Bible refers to Proverbs 16: 9:
The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Now this tells me: why bother following my heart or even planning? Ultimately God decides where I’ll go.
No matter how I cut this, it looks like I’m inept and must let God take control.
Which is what the New Geneva Study Bible says (referring to both of these verses):
Such passages point to the limitations of knowledge obtained from observation. God’s sovereign purposes alone are certain.
Of that, I am certain!
Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 15:1-16:14, Psalm 81:6b-10, Proverbs 20:24-25, Acts 16:1-15. See About for what I’m up to with these daily posts. Your daily blogger, Holiday Longing (Reproduce with permission only).
